The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Cordillera Administrative Region assured that all the six large scale mining industries and two companies operating for sand and gravel in the region employ a gender-balanced workforce and gender-sensitive workplace.
In a forum recently, MGB-CAR Regional Director Fay Apil said “it is noticeable that many women are now leading the industry, which was once male-dominated. The number of women in the industry is growing steadily.”
In Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet, a number of host communities of a large scale mining company benefited from several corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects initiated by women employees.
Camp 3 Punong Barangay Dalmaia B. Dino, a health worker and the wife of a minero – oversees the women miners in Philex Mines.
Dino said Philex has a large number of female miners, which provides equal work opportunities for women.
“Being a minero’s wife is truly a sacrifice, because I have to prioritize serving the community, being the mother of the community, barangay not only in Philex but also in the outlying Sitios of Camp 3 Proper and Torre. But we can, as leaders, we can serve our husband, minerong husband, and the entire community,” Dino said.
She shared how she overcame the struggles in life as a full time public servant. According to her, “struggles are inevitable, especially during a pandemic, but it is up to the Lord, and we can do so with the help of people around us.”
In Tuba, she stated that many women were able to finish their education by being scholars of the mining company through its CSR programs.
She applauded Philex Finance Division Manager Roselyn M. Dahilan for being instrumental in strategizing the CSR initiatives from education, infrastructure, healthcare, employment, and cultural development.
Additionally, they have dedicated programs for women, with a special emphasis on providing scholarships to female students, who form the majority of beneficiaries.
MGB-CAR Legal Officer Atty. Maria Desiree Zan Lud-ayen, who also serves as the gender and development (GAD) focal person said they agency makes sure that laws on gender equality are abided by mining companies.
“As of now, we haven’t received any report on GAD issues at the MGB CAR. We recognize the significance of women in our workforce thus the implementation of the Bawal Bastos Law to ensure that every woman employee is safeguarded in any work setting,” Ludayen said. **Jessienel E. Deduque
